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J P's Gusto confirmed for Oaklawn prep series
Bejar said paperwork was being finalized and that he expected J P's Gusto to arrive by plane by midweek. They want to get J P's Gusto a chance to get acclimated and train over the track well ahead of the Southwest as well as letting Petalino get a feel for the horse. Waken and Bejar said a plug from a third partner, former trainer John O'Hara, cemented the decision to tab Petalino. "John is a good friend of Joe's and the two of them worked together with Jack Van Berg," Bejar said. "John has known Joe for many, many years and a few years back we sent a filly to Joe. He managed to get the filly to win and we were really happy with what he did and he's a well-respected horseman." Bejar made it clear the entire Oaklawn series -- the Southwest, the $300,000 Rebel S. (G2) on March 19 and the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) on April 16 -- is on the agenda for J P's Gusto. "(Oaklawn) has done a great job setting up the program," he said. "Going from a mile, to 1 1/16 miles to 1 1/8 miles is a great progression. We plan to see if he's good enough to run in all three and we hope he does well." Early in J P's Gusto's career, the connections were shopping the horse around, but his small size made it difficult to close any deals. While the goal remains to maximize the horse's value (with the Oaklawn purses contributing to that plan), Bejar says the horse's maturity and development have Dr. Waken, 80, rejecting most offers now. "He has grown a lot since last fall," Bejar said. "He's got a great hind end, and a great shoulder and, we think, a big heart. He's not a small horse anymore. And Dr. Waken is excited to have him and he's as one of the most avid fans of racing and of good horses as you're ever going to meet. He loves the action, the game and he's obviously not afraid to send horses where he thinks they can be effective."
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